TWI553497B - Simulation system, programmable controller, simulation device and engineering tool - Google Patents

Description

Analog system, programmable controller, analog device, engineering tool

The present invention relates to a simulation system, a programmable controller, a simulation device, and an engineering tool.

In the debugging of using a real machine in the development of a manufacturing facility or the like, careful adjustment is required to avoid damage to equipment and workpieces due to mechanical interference, so it takes a lot of development time. Therefore, there is a strong demand and expectation for a 3D CAD (computer aided design) for performing mechanical orbits and interference on a personal computer. The 3D CAD simulator eliminates the need to worry about the destruction of equipment and workpieces caused by mechanical interference. Therefore, the 3D CAD simulator does not require careful adjustment, which can greatly reduce the time for debugging.

However, in the simulation using the 3D CAD simulator for the programmable controller real machine, the number of cycles of the programmable controller in each cycle of the 3D CAD simulator is not fixed. Therefore, the data (data) calculated in the real computer of the programmable controller will not be in 3D. The situation reflected in the simulation done by the CAD simulator. The error of such data reflects the accuracy of the simulation.

Therefore, as a technique for matching the period of the analog device with the cycle of the real controller of the programmable controller, it has been proposed that, for example, the programmable controller performs a one-cycle scan time to become a wait state, according to the analog device. The method of executing the next cycle is executed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[Previous Technical Literature] (Patent Literature)

(Patent Document 1) Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-297226

However, according to the above technique, in order to improve the accuracy of the simulation, the designer must perform the change of the user program of the programmable controller or the like. That is, in the past, the designer has to do the correction of the user program of the programmable controller, so that the cycle time of the programmable controller is synchronized with the one cycle time of the 3D CAD simulator. However, such a treatment imposes a lot of additional burden on the designer, and there is a problem that the burden on the designer increases.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an analog system, a programmable controller, a simulation device, and an engineering tool that can perform high-precision simulation without reducing the development time without burdening the designer.

In order to achieve the above object, the simulation system of the present invention has a programmable controller that controls a controlled device by a user program, and simulates an operation of controlling the controlled device based on the user program. In the simulation system of the simulation device, the programmable controller includes: a calculation unit that performs calculation processing by executing the user program; and a storage unit that stores a result of the calculation processing, wherein the calculation unit is in the user program When the calculation processing of one cycle is completed, the process is switched to a temporary stop state in which the calculation process of the new cycle is not performed, and the result of the calculation process of the one cycle is stored in the memory unit, and is received from the simulation device. When the stop release instruction command (command) of the temporary stop state is canceled, the temporary stop state is released, and the result of the calculation process stored in the one cycle of the memory unit is transmitted to the simulation device, and the simulation is performed. The device is equipped with: controlled by controlling the foregoing a two-dimensional shape model or a three-dimensional shape model to simulate a simulation simulation unit that controls the operation of the controlled device; and a stop release instruction command generation unit that generates the stop release instruction command, the simulation portion is based on The result of the calculation process of the user program of the one-cycle copy sent from the programmable controller is executed, and the simulation of one cycle is performed, and when the simulation of the one-cycle copy ends, the conversion to the new cycle is performed. The temporary stop state of the simulation is transmitted, and the stop release instruction command generated by the stop release instruction command generation unit is transmitted to the programmable controller.

According to the present invention, it is possible to produce an effect of reducing the development time by performing high-precision simulation without giving the designer an extra burden.

100‧‧‧simulator

111‧‧‧ Input Department

113‧‧‧Display Department

115‧‧‧Non-volatile memory

117‧‧‧ volatile memory

119‧‧‧ Simulation Department

121‧‧‧Stop release command generation department

123‧‧‧Information transmission command analysis department

125‧‧‧Communication Department

127‧‧‧Control Department

129‧‧‧Internal busbar

131‧‧‧Data Memory Area

133‧‧‧PLC calculation results

135‧‧‧Program memory area

137‧‧‧ program

139‧‧‧Working area

141‧‧‧Time Synchronous Function Flag

143‧‧‧Stop release order

145‧‧‧Make Simulation Department

147‧‧‧Drawing Department

149‧‧‧Communication lines

200‧‧‧Programmable Controller (PLC)

211‧‧‧ Input Department

213‧‧‧Display Department

215‧‧‧ Non-volatile memory

217‧‧‧ volatile memory

219‧‧‧Command execution engine department

221‧‧‧Information transmission command generation unit

223‧‧‧Received Information Command Analysis Department

225‧‧‧Communication Department

227‧‧‧Control Department

229‧‧‧Internal busbar

231‧‧‧Program memory area

233‧‧‧Program

235‧‧‧data memory area

237‧‧‧ User program calculation results

239‧‧‧Working area

241‧‧‧Time Synchronous Function Flag

243‧‧‧Information transmission order

300‧‧‧Engineering Tools

311‧‧‧ Input Department

313‧‧‧Display Department

315‧‧‧Programming Department

317‧‧‧Action Mode Setting Department

319‧‧‧Communication Department

321‧‧‧Memory Department

323‧‧‧Control Department

325‧‧‧Internal busbar

327‧‧‧Communication lines

400‧‧‧ computer equipment

401‧‧‧ display device

402‧‧‧Input device

403‧‧‧CPU

404‧‧‧Non-volatile memory

405‧‧‧ volatile memory

406‧‧‧ Display memory

407‧‧‧External memory interface

408‧‧‧Communication interface

409‧‧‧Internal busbar

Fig. 1 is a view showing a simulation system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure of the PLC among the programs simulated in the simulation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a flow chart showing the processing procedure of the simulation device among the simulation programs in the simulation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a view for explaining the flow of processing of simulation in the simulation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a view showing the configuration of an engineering tool according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a computer device that realizes the functions of the simulation device and the PLC according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the simulation system, the programmable controller, the simulation device, and the engineering tool of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following description, and may be appropriately modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Embodiment 1.

Fig. 1 is a view showing a simulation system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The simulation system of the present embodiment includes an analog device 100 and a programmable logic controller (PLC) 200. Simulation device 100 Based on the calculation result obtained from the PLC 200, the operation of the controlled device is simulated and displayed. The PLC 200 performs a calculation of the command in accordance with the user program, and outputs the calculation result to a controlled device (not shown) connected to the PLC 200, and controls the operation of the controlled device.

The simulation device 100 includes an input unit 111, a display unit 113, a nonvolatile memory 115, a volatile memory 117, an analog unit 119, a stop release instruction command generation unit 121, and a data transmission command analysis unit 123. The communication unit 125 and the control unit 127. Each of the above components is connected via an internal bus 129.

The input unit 111 is an input means for inputting various kinds of information from a designer or an external device.

The display unit 113 is a display means for displaying various kinds of information such as a two-dimensional shape model, a three-dimensional shape model, and a program of the controlled device in the simulation, and is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display Device).

The non-volatile memory 115 has a memory portion of a data memory area 131, and the data memory area 131 stores an analysis result of a data transmission command, that is, a data transmission command transmitted from the PLC 200. The calculation result of PLC 200 is 133. Further, the processing data stored in the simulation device 100 is also stored in the data storage area 131. Further, the non-volatile memory 115 has a program memory area 135 which stores various programs 137 necessary for the simulation device 100 such as a program necessary for the simulation unit 119 to perform an operation.

The volatile memory 117 has a memory portion of a work area 139, which is used in an analog device. 100 various treatments. The work area 139 manages flags and commands and data, and stores information such as the time synchronization function flag 141 and the stop release instruction command 143.

The simulation unit 119 performs simulation. The simulation unit 119 includes a simulation calculation unit 145 and a drawing unit 147. The simulation calculation unit 145 performs simulation calculation of the operation of the controlled device based on the calculation result of the PLC 200. The drawing unit 147 performs calculation for drawing a two-dimensional shape model or a three-dimensional shape model of the controlled device based on the calculation result of the simulation calculation unit 145, and draws a two-dimensional shape model or a three-dimensional shape model on the display unit based on the calculation result. 113.

When the time synchronization function flag 141 is set to the temporary stop mode flag in the work area 139 of the volatile memory 117, the stop release command generation unit 121 generates an instruction to cancel the temporary stop of the PLC 200. The stop of the status release command.

The data transmission command analysis unit 123 performs analysis of the data transmission command received from the PLC 200, and converts the data transmission command into a form usable by the simulation device 100.

The communication unit 125 communicates with the communication unit 225 of the PLC 200 in order to transmit and receive data between the simulation device 100 and the PLC 200. The communication unit 125 and the communication unit 225 of the PLC 200 are connected via a communication line 149. Further, the communication means with the communication unit 225 of the PLC 200 is not particularly limited.

The control unit 127 controls all processing in the simulation device 100.

Next, the configuration of the PLC 200 will be described. The PLC 200 includes an input unit 211, a display unit 213, a non-volatile memory 215, a volatile memory 217, a command execution engine (engine) unit 219, a data transmission command generation unit 221, and a command data analysis unit for receiving data. 223. The communication unit 225 and the control unit 227. Each of the above components is connected through the internal bus bar 229.

The input unit 211 is an input means for inputting various kinds of information from a user or an external device.

The display unit 213 is a display means for displaying a user program created by the designer, inputting the PLC 200 or various information output from the PLC 200, and is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display Device).

The non-volatile memory 215 has a memory portion of a program memory area 231 and a data memory area 235, and the program memory area 231 is a program 233 for storing various programs and user programs required for the PLC 200 to operate. The data storage area 235 stores the calculation result 237 of the user program. Here, a specific example of the calculation result of the user program is, for example, a case where the controlled device is a robot, and includes a position of an end effector, a moving speed of the end effector, and the like. Further, for example, when the controlled device is a rotary press, there are a number of rotations and a rotation speed. Further, for example, when the controlled device is a plant device, a program amount or the like may be mentioned.

The volatile memory 217 has a memory portion of the work area 239, which is used for various processes of the PLC 200. The work area 239 manages flags, commands, and materials, and stores information such as the time synchronization function flag 241 and the data transmission command 243.

The command execution engine unit 219 is an arithmetic unit that performs calculation based on a user program and executes an instruction of the user program. The calculation result is the control data used to control the controlled device.

The data transmission command generation unit 221 generates a data transmission command based on the data in the work area 239.

The received data command analysis unit 223 performs analysis of the data received from the simulation device 100, and converts the received data into a form usable by the PLC 200.

The communication unit 225 communicates with the communication unit 125 of the simulation device 100 in order to transmit and receive data between the PLC 200 and the simulation device 100. The means of communication with the communication unit 125 is not particularly limited.

The control unit 227 controls all processing in the PLC 200.

Next, a program of the simulation in the simulation system will be described. Fig. 2 is a flow chart showing the processing procedure of the PLC 200 among the programs simulated in the simulation system of the first embodiment. Fig. 3 is a flow chart showing the processing procedure of the simulation device 100 among the programs simulated in the simulation system of the first embodiment. Fig. 4 is a view for explaining the flow of processing of simulation in the simulation system of the first embodiment. In Fig. 4, the hatching portion indicates the time during which the arithmetic processing is executed by the command of the user program in the simulation device 100, or the time during which the simulation is executed in the PLC 200.

First, when the power supply of the simulation device 100 and the PLC 200 In the PLC 200, the command execution engine unit 219 performs calculation based on a predetermined period of execution of a command of the user program to be the simulation target based on the predetermined initial data. Then, when the calculation of one cycle of the user program is completed, the command execution engine unit 219 performs an end process (step S110). The end processing is processing other than command execution such as communication with an external device such as the simulation device 100. In the end processing, the command execution engine unit 219 stores the calculation result 237 of the user program in the data storage area 235 in the non-volatile memory 215.

When the end processing is completed, the data transmission command generation unit 221 generates a data transmission command including the calculation result 237 of the user program stored in the data storage area 235, and stores it as the data transmission command 243 to the volatile memory 217. Work area 239 (step S120).

Further, the command execution engine unit 219 sets the temporary stop mode flag by the time synchronization function flag 241 in the work area 239 at the end of the end processing, and even temporarily stops the mode flag on (step S130). As a result, the command execution engine unit 219 is switched to the temporary stop mode (mode), and is in a temporary stop state in which the execution and calculation of the user program are not performed.

The time synchronization function of the PLC 200 uses the temporary stop mode flag in the flag 241 to indicate that the command execution engine unit 219 converts the flag to the temporary stop state of the command that does not execute the user program. When the temporary stop mode flag is set to this, the command execution engine unit 219 is switched to the temporary stop state. In addition, when the temporary stop mode flag is released, even if the mode flag is turned off temporarily (off), the command is executed. The line engine unit 219 is a normal mode for switching from the temporary stop state to the command for executing the user program.

As described above, the command execution engine unit 219 is switched to the temporary stop state by temporarily setting the mode flag, and is set in advance, for example, in firmware or the like. Therefore, the designer does not need to perform the processing of the user program or the change of the user program in order to execute the command to execute the engine unit 219 in a temporary stop state, without burdening the designer.

Further, in the aspect of the simulation apparatus 100, when the power source is turned on, the simulation unit 119 performs only one cycle of the simulation of the operation of the controlled device based on the predetermined initial data (step S210). In other words, the simulation calculation unit 145 performs simulation calculation of the operation of the controlled device based on the predetermined initial data. Then, the drawing unit 147 performs calculation for drawing a three-dimensional shape model of the controlled device based on the calculation result in the simulation calculation unit 145, and draws the three-dimensional shape model on the display unit 113 based on the calculation result. Here, although the case of drawing a three-dimensional shape model is shown here, the case of a two-dimensional shape model can also be similarly drawn. Regarding this point, the following are the same.

When the simulation of one cycle is completed, the simulation calculation unit 145 sets the temporary stop mode flag with the time synchronization function flag 141 in the work area 139 of the volatile memory 117 (step S220). Thereby, the simulation unit 119 shifts to the temporary stop mode, and becomes a temporary stop state without performing simulation.

The time synchronization function of the simulation device 100 uses the temporary stop mode flag in the flag 141 to indicate that the simulation unit 119 converts to no The flag of the temporary stop state of the simulation is executed. When the temporary stop mode flag is set, the simulation unit 119 shifts to the temporary stop state. Further, when the temporary stop mode flag is released and the mode flag is turned off temporarily, the simulation unit 119 shifts from the temporary stop state to the normal mode in which the simulation is executed.

When the temporary stop mode flag is set, the stop release instruction command generation unit 121 generates a stop release instruction command to be stored in the work area 139 of the volatile memory 117 as the stop release instruction command 143.

When the stop release instruction command 143 is stored in the work area 139 of the volatile memory 117, the simulation calculation unit 145 transmits the stop release instruction command 143 to the communication unit 225 of the PLC 200 via the communication unit 125 and the communication line 149 (step S230). At this point, the first cycle (period 1) of the analog processing in the simulation system ends.

The communication unit 225 of the PLC 200 receives the stop release instruction command 143 transmitted from the simulation device 100 via the communication line 149 (step S140). The communication unit 225 of the PLC 200 transmits the received stop release instruction command 143 to the received data command analysis unit 223. The received data command analysis unit 223 performs analysis of the stop release instruction command 143, and converts the stop release instruction command 143 into a form usable by the PLC 200. Then, the received data command analysis unit 223 transmits the analyzed stop release instruction command 143 to the command execution engine unit 219.

Further, the command execution engine unit 219 stores the work area stored in the volatile memory 217 via the communication unit 225 and the communication line 149. The data transmission command 243 containing the calculation result 237 of the user program in the field 239 is transmitted to the communication unit 125 of the simulation device 100 (step S150).

Further, when receiving the analyzed stop release instruction command 143, the command execution engine unit 219 releases the temporary stop mode flag of the time synchronization function flag 241 of the work area 239 (step S160). Thereby, the command execution engine unit 219 releases the temporary stop mode. At this point, the cycle 1 of the first cycle in the PLC 200 ends. Then, the command execution engine unit 219 performs an operation by executing an instruction of the user program of the second cycle portion in the next cycle of the user program.

In addition, the function of releasing the temporary stop state of the command execution engine unit 219 by the temporary stop mode flag release is set in advance, for example, in a firmware or the like. Therefore, the designer does not need to perform processing such as creation of a user program or change of a user program in order to execute the release function of the temporary stop state of the engine unit 219 by using such a command, without causing a burden on the designer.

Then, when the calculation of the next cycle portion in the user program is completed, the command execution engine unit 219 performs the end processing (step S170). In the end processing, the command execution engine unit 219 stores the calculation result 237 of the new user program in the data storage area 235 in the non-volatile memory 215.

Then, the PLC 200 returns to step S120 and repeats the processing for the user program of the object to be simulated. Further, the data transmission command generation unit 221 generates a data transmission command including the calculation result 237 of the latest user program stored in the data storage area 235. It is stored in the work area 239 of the volatile memory 217 as a data transmission command 243.

On the other hand, the communication unit 125 of the simulation device 100 receives the data transmission command 243 transmitted from the PLC 200 via the communication line 149 (step S240). When receiving the data transmission command 243, the communication unit 125 transmits the received data transmission command 243 to the data transmission command analysis unit 123. The data transmission command analysis unit 123 analyzes the data transmission command 243 and converts the data transmission command 243 into a form usable by the simulation device 100. Then, the data transmission command analysis unit 123 stores the calculation result of the PLC 200 acquired from the data transmission command 243 in the data storage area 131 of the non-volatile memory 115 as the calculation result 133 of the PLC 200.

When the calculation result 133 of the PLC 200 is stored in the data storage area 131, the simulation unit 119 cancels the temporary stop mode flag of the work area 139 of the volatile memory 117 (step S250). Thereby, the simulation unit 119 cancels the temporary stop mode, and executes the simulation of the next cycle portion based on the calculation result 133 of the PLC 200 stored in the data memory area 131 (step S260). In other words, the simulation calculation unit 145 performs simulation calculation of the operation of the controlled device based on the calculation result 133 of the PLC 200. Then, the drawing unit 147 performs calculation for drawing a three-dimensional shape model of the controlled device based on the calculation result in the simulation calculation unit 145, and draws the three-dimensional shape model on the display unit 113 based on the calculation result.

Then, the simulation device 100 returns to step S220 from step S260 every time the data transmission command 243 is received from the PLC 200. Repeat the process.

In the simulation system of the present embodiment described above, the PLC 200 temporarily stops the command execution engine unit 219 at the end position of one cycle, that is, at the end of the end processing, for each user program of one cycle. The command execution process, that is, the calculation process, maintains the result of the calculation process of one cycle. On the other hand, the simulation apparatus 100 temporarily stops the simulation processing of the simulation unit 119 at the time when the simulation processing of one cycle is completed, and transmits the stop cancellation instruction command 143 to the PLC 200.

When receiving the stop release instruction command 143, the command execution engine unit 219 of the PLC 200 releases the temporary stop state, and transmits the result of the calculation processing of one cycle before the temporary stop state to the simulation device 100, and executes only the execution. The command of the user program for the next cycle is then temporarily stopped. Then, when receiving the result of the calculation process of one cycle, the simulation apparatus 100 cancels the temporary stop state of the simulation unit 119, and starts the simulation of the next cycle based on the result of the calculation process of the one cycle. Then, at the time when the simulation processing is completed, the simulation unit 119 temporarily stops the simulation processing, and transmits the stop cancellation instruction command 143 to the PLC 200.

By repeating the processing as described above, the timing at which the command execution of the user program of the start timing of the cycle in the PLC 200 can be started, and the timing of the start of the simulation of the start timing of the cycle in the simulation device 100 can be made. At about the same time, the PLC 200 can be synchronized with the timing of the start of the processing cycle of the analog device 100.

One cycle of PLC 200 includes executing user program The time of one cycle and the time from when the execution of the user program ends to the temporary stop state until the stop release instruction command 143 is received and the temporary stop state is released. On the other hand, the one cycle of the simulation device 100 includes the time from the start of the simulation to the end of the simulation and the transmission of the stop release instruction command 143 to the PLC 200.

Then, the simulation device 100 transmits the stop release instruction command 143 to the PLC 200 to end the sequence of one cycle, and acquires the stop release instruction command 143, releases the temporary stop state, and ends the cycle of one cycle substantially simultaneously. Time synchronization. Further, the PLC 200 transmits the data transmission command 243 to the simulation device 100 and starts the sequence of the next cycle, and the time when the simulation device 100 receives the data transmission command 243 and starts the next cycle at substantially the same time, and acquires the time synchronization. .

Therefore, the simulation system of the present embodiment can synchronize the cycle of the PLC 200 with the cycle of the simulation device 100. Thereby, the calculation result of the PLC 200 can be surely applied to the simulation in the simulation apparatus 100 one by one in each cycle. For example, the data obtained from the calculation of the first cycle in the PLC 200 can be used to positively simulate the second cycle in the device 100. Further, the data obtained by, for example, the calculation of the third period in the PLC 200 can be surely used for the fourth period in the simulation apparatus 100.

Thereby, when the simulation apparatus 100 implements a new cycle, it can simulate using the calculation result of the PLC 200 in the cycle before synchronization. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an error in the simulation result of the simulation device 100 due to the period of the PLC 200 being out of sync with the period of the simulation device 100, The accuracy of the simulation can be improved.

Here, by setting the function for synchronizing the period of the PLC 200 with the period of one cycle of the simulation device 100 in the PLC 200 in advance, that is, the function of setting and releasing the temporary stop state of the engine unit 219 can be performed. Unload the designer. That is, in the simulation system of the present embodiment, the designer does not need to correct the user program of the PLC 200 or the like to synchronize the time of one cycle of the PLC 200 with the time of one cycle of the simulation apparatus 100. Therefore, in the simulation system of the present embodiment, the designer does not need to perform the correction of the user program of the PLC 200 or the operation of returning to the original state, thereby reducing the number of debugging processes of the user program, and reducing the development of the PLC 200. number.

Further, in the above description, the first cycle of the PLC 200 and the first cycle of the simulation device 100 are simultaneously started, but the first cycle of the PLC 200 and the first cycle of the simulation device 100 are not Be sure to start at the same time. Even if the first cycle of the PLC 200 and the analog device 100 starts at a different time point, the PLC 200 can end at the first cycle as long as the first cycle of the PLC 200 ends earlier than the first cycle of the simulation device 100. After entering the temporary stop state, the same processing as above is performed. Thereby, the cycle of the PLC 200 is synchronized with the cycle of the simulation device 100 from the second cycle.

Therefore, according to the first embodiment, high-precision simulation can be performed without giving the designer an extra burden, and the debugging of the user program and the development of the PLC 200 can be performed in a short time.

Embodiment 2.

In the second embodiment, the simulation operation mode in which the command execution engine unit 219 of the PLC 200 executes the user program is temporarily stopped every cycle, and the command execution engine unit 219 of the PLC 200 is switched. The function of the normal operation mode that is continuously executed without stopping the user program for one cycle is explained.

As disclosed in the first embodiment, the simulation operation mode in which the PLC 200 temporarily stops at each cycle when the user program is executed is used for simulation, and the actual equipment is not used. Therefore, when the device is actually moved, the operation mode of the PLC 200 must be switched from the analog operation mode to the normal operation mode.

The switching between the analog operation mode of the PLC 200 and the normal operation mode is managed by the time synchronization function of the work area 239 of the volatile memory 217 in the PLC 200, for example, by the flag 241. In this case, the time synchronization function can be used to set the analog action mode switching flag with the flag. The analog action mode switching flag is used to set the action mode of the PLC 200 to the flag of the analog action mode.

When the time synchronization function flag 241 of the work area 239 is set with the analog operation mode switching flag, the PLC 200 operates in the simulation operation mode disclosed in the first embodiment. On the other hand, when the analog operation mode switching flag is not set, the PLC 200 operates in the normal operation mode. That is, the command execution engine unit 219 first detects the setting state of the flag in the analog operation mode in the time synchronization function flag 241 of the work area 239 before executing the user program. Then, when the simulation action mode switching flag is set, the simulation is performed. The action mode operates. Further, when the simulation operation mode switching flag is not set, the command execution engine unit 219 operates in the normal operation mode.

The setting and cancellation of the simulation operation mode switching flag can be performed by, for example, the engineering tool 300 that creates and edits the user program of the PLC 200. Fig. 5 is a view showing the configuration of the engineering tool 300 of the second embodiment. The engineering tool 300 includes an input unit 311, a display unit 313, a program editing unit 315, an operation mode setting unit 317, a communication unit 319, a storage unit 321, and a control unit 323. Each of the above components is connected through the internal bus bar 325. Further, the engineering tool 300 may be a portable person that can be carried to an installation place of the PLC 200, or may be a fixed person installed in, for example, a monitoring room.

The input unit 311 is an input means for inputting various kinds of information from a designer, an external device, or the like.

The display unit 313 is a display means for displaying information for creating and editing a user program, information related to setting and canceling a simulation operation mode switching flag, and various information input and output to the engineering tool 300. For example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display Device).

The program editing unit 315 creates and edits a user program based on information input from the input unit 311.

The operation mode setting unit 317 sets and cancels the simulation operation mode switching flag in the work area 239 of the PLC 200.

The communication unit 319 is for communicating with the PLC 200 in the communication unit between the engineering tool 300 and the PLC 200. Communication between 225. The communication unit 319 is connected to the communication unit 225 of the PLC 200 via, for example, the communication line 327. Further, the means of communication with the communication unit 225 is not particularly limited.

The memory unit 321 stores information such as various programs necessary for the operation of the engineering tool 300 and various materials generated in various processes of the engineering tool 300.

The control unit 323 controls all processing in the engineering tool 300.

When the setting of the simulation operation mode switching flag of the PLC 200 is performed by the engineering tool 300, for example, the designer inputs the information indicating that the simulation operation mode switching flag is to be set to the engineering tool 300 by the input unit 311. Based on the information, the control unit 323 transmits a setting instruction command for instructing the setting of the simulation operation mode switching flag to the PLC 200 via the communication unit 319.

The communication unit 225 of the PLC 200 receives the setting instruction command transmitted from the engineering tool 300 via the communication line 327. The communication unit 225 of the PLC 200 transmits the received setting instruction command to the received data command analysis unit 223. The received data command analysis unit 223 performs analysis of the setting instruction command, and converts the setting instruction command into a form usable by the PLC 200. Then, the received data command analysis unit 223 transmits the analyzed setting instruction command to the control unit 227.

When receiving the analyzed setting instruction command, the control unit 227 sets the simulation action for the time synchronization function flag 241 in the work area 239 of the volatile memory 217 based on the setting instruction command. Mode switch flag.

Further, when the engineering tool 300 is used to cancel the simulation operation mode switching flag of the PLC 200, the control unit 323 transmits a release instruction command indicating that the simulation operation mode switching flag is to be canceled, instead of the setting instruction command, via the communication unit 319. Send to PLC 200. The PLC 200 performs processing in the same manner as described above, and the control unit 227 cancels the analog operation mode switching flag of the time synchronization function flag 241 in the work area 239 of the volatile memory 217 in response to the release instruction command.

Further, the setting and cancellation of the analog operation mode switching flag can be performed even if the PLC 200 holds the program for setting and releasing the analog operation mode switching flag. In this case, for example, the designer inputs the setting instruction information indicating the setting of the simulation operation mode switching flag or the cancellation instruction information indicating the release of the simulation operation mode switching flag to the PLC 200 by the input unit 211. The control unit 227 of the PLC 200 sets or cancels the analog operation mode switching flag of the time synchronization function flag 241 in the work area 239 of the volatile memory 217 based on the setting instruction information or the release instruction information.

As described above, in the second embodiment, it is possible to easily switch the operation mode of the PLC 200 to the simulation operation mode or the normal operation by using the program for setting and releasing the flag in the simulation operation mode of the engineering tool 300 or the PLC 200. Action mode. Thereby, even if it is a designer who is not familiar with the time synchronization method of the simulation apparatus 100 and the PLC 200, the operation mode of the PLC 200 can be easily switched to the simulation operation mode or the normal operation mode.

Embodiment 3.

In the simulation system of the above-described embodiment, the simulation device 100 and the simulation method performed by the PLC 200 can be configured by a program for recording a processing program of the simulation method, and a computer having a CPU, a memory device, and the like as shown in FIG. The device implements the program to implement it.

Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a computer device 400 that realizes the functions of the simulation device 100 and the PLC 200 of the above-described embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the computer device 400 includes a display device 401 such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an input device 402 such as a keyboard, and a CPU 403 and a ROM (Reading) through the internal bus bar 409. Non-volatile memory 404 such as Only Memory), volatile memory 405 such as RAM (Random Access Memory), display memory 406 for storing display screen displayed on display device 401, and flash memory An external memory interface 407 of a pluggable external memory interface such as a flash memory, and a communication interface 408 for communicating with an external device are connected.

Then, the program stored in the non-volatile memory 404 in which the processing program of the above-described simulation method is described is loaded into the volatile memory 405 and executed by the CPU 403. The program can be recorded on a hard disk, a CD (Compact Disk), a ROM (Read Only Memory), an MO (Magneto-Optical disk), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk or a Digital Video Disk), etc. In the recording medium, or the program can also be through the Internet (network) (communication) Line) to spread. In this case, the program is stored in the non-volatile memory 404 from the information processing terminal connected via the communication interface 408.

(industrial availability)

As described above, the simulation system, the programmable controller, the simulation device, and the engineering tool of the present invention can be utilized in the case of performing debug processing of a user program of the PLC.

100‧‧‧simulator

111‧‧‧ Input Department

113‧‧‧Display Department

115‧‧‧Non-volatile memory

117‧‧‧ volatile memory

119‧‧‧ Simulation Department

121‧‧‧Stop release command generation department

123‧‧‧Information transmission command analysis department

125‧‧‧Communication Department

127‧‧‧Control Department

129‧‧‧Internal busbar

131‧‧‧Data Memory Area

133‧‧‧PLC calculation results

135‧‧‧Program memory area

137‧‧‧ program

139‧‧‧Working area

141‧‧‧Time Synchronous Function Flag

143‧‧‧Stop release order

145‧‧‧Make Simulation Department

147‧‧‧Drawing Department

149‧‧‧Communication lines

200‧‧‧Programmable Controller (PLC)

211‧‧‧ Input Department

213‧‧‧Display Department

215‧‧‧ Non-volatile memory

217‧‧‧ volatile memory

219‧‧‧Command execution engine department

221‧‧‧Information transmission command generation unit

223‧‧‧Received Information Command Analysis Department

225‧‧‧Communication Department

227‧‧‧Control Department

229‧‧‧Internal busbar

231‧‧‧Program memory area

233‧‧‧Program

235‧‧‧data memory area

237‧‧‧ User program calculation results

239‧‧‧Working area

241‧‧‧Time Synchronous Function Flag

243‧‧‧Information transmission order

Claims (11)

An analog system having: a programmable controller that controls a controlled device by using a user program, and a simulation device that simulates an action of the controlled device according to the user program, wherein the programmable control The arithmetic unit includes: a calculation unit that performs calculation processing by executing the user program; and a storage unit that stores a result of the calculation processing, wherein the calculation unit converts when a calculation process of one cycle of the user program ends The temporary stop state of the calculation process of the new cycle is not performed, and the result of the calculation process of the one cycle is stored in the memory unit, and the stop release instruction command for instructing the release of the temporary stop state is received from the simulation device. In the case of the temporary stop state, the result of the calculation process stored in the one cycle of the memory unit is transmitted to the simulation device, and the simulation device is provided with two control devices Dimensional shape model or 3D shape model to simulate control Operation of the apparatus is controlled to simulate the simulation unit; and generating the stop cancellation instruction command indicative of stop release command generation unit, according to the simulation unit based programmable controller from the transmitted As a result of the calculation process of the user program of one cycle, a simulation of one cycle is performed, and when the simulation of the one cycle is completed, the simulation is switched to a temporary stop state in which the simulation of the new cycle is not performed, and the aforementioned The stop release instruction command generated by the stop release command generation unit is transmitted to the programmable controller. The simulation system according to claim 1, wherein the calculation unit executes the calculation processing of the new periodic portion in the user program after the temporary stop state is released. The simulation system according to claim 1, wherein the simulation unit receives a new one cycle transmitted from the programmable controller after transmitting the stop release instruction command to the programmable controller. In the case of the result of the calculation process of the user program, the temporary stop state of the simulation unit is released, and a new one-cycle copy is executed based on the result of the calculation process of the user program of the new one-cycle portion. simulation. The simulation system according to claim 2, wherein the simulation unit receives a new one cycle transmitted from the programmable controller after transmitting the stop release instruction command to the programmable controller. In the case of the result of the calculation process of the user program, the temporary stop state of the simulation unit is released, and a new cycle is executed based on the result of the calculation process of the user program of the new one cycle. Part of the simulation. The simulation system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, It is provided with a function of switching between the first operation mode and the second operation mode, wherein the first operation mode is a temporary stop state for each calculation of a cycle of the user program; The operation mode is an arithmetic process in which the calculation unit continuously executes the plurality of cycles of the user program without being in the temporary stop state. A programmable controller is configured to be communicably connected to an analog device for simulating an operation of controlling a controlled device according to a user program to form an analog system, and the user program is used to control the controlled device The programmable controller includes: a calculation unit that performs calculation processing by executing the user program; and a storage unit that stores a result of the calculation processing, wherein the calculation unit is processed in one cycle of the user program. When it is finished, it is converted to a temporary stop state in which the calculation processing of the new cycle is not performed, and the result of the calculation process of the one cycle is stored in the memory unit, and an instruction to cancel the temporary stop state is received from the simulation device. When the stop command is stopped, the temporary stop state is released, and the result of the calculation process stored in the one cycle of the memory unit is transmitted to the simulation device. The programmable controller according to claim 6, wherein the calculation unit executes the calculation processing of the new periodic portion in the user program after the temporary stop state is released. The programmable controller according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising: a switching function that switches between a simulated operation mode and a normal operation mode, wherein the simulated operation mode is a cycle of executing the user program for each of the calculation units The calculation process is the temporary stop state, and the normal operation mode is a calculation process in which the calculation unit continuously executes the plurality of cycles of the user program without being in the temporary stop state. An analog device that is communicably connected to a programmable controller that controls a controlled device by using a user program to form an analog system, and simulates a simulation of controlling the action of the controlled device according to the user program. The simulation device includes: a simulation unit that simulates an operation of controlling the operation of the controlled device by controlling a two-dimensional shape model or a three-dimensional shape model of the controlled device; and generates an instruction to indicate that a new cycle is not to be performed The program controller that is in the temporary stop state of the calculation process cancels the stop release instruction command generation stop release command generation unit in the temporary stop state, and the simulation unit is based on a cycle of the transmission from the programmable controller. As a result of the calculation process of the user program, the simulation of one cycle is executed, and when the simulation of the one cycle is completed, the simulation is switched to the temporary stop state in which the simulation of the new cycle is not performed, and the stop release instruction command is executed. The aforementioned stop release instruction command generated by the generating unit is sent to the foregoing Controller. The simulation device according to claim 9, wherein the simulation unit receives a new one cycle transmitted from the programmable controller after transmitting the stop release instruction command to the programmable controller. In the case of the result of the calculation process of the user program, the temporary stop state of the simulation unit is released, and a new one-cycle copy is executed based on the result of the calculation process of the user program of the new one-cycle portion. simulation. An engineering tool includes an operation mode setting unit connected to a sixth and eighth patent application scope having a first operation mode and a second operation mode as an operation mode of executing a plurality of cycles in a user program The programmable controller according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first operational mode and the second operational mode are switched for the programmable controller, wherein the first operational mode is performed for each of the user programs The calculation processing of one cycle is a temporary stop state in which no new calculation is performed, and the second operation mode is a calculation process of continuously executing the plurality of cycles of the user program without being in the temporary stop state.